SA Rugby has announced that FlySafair had been appointed as the official domestic carrier for the Springboks and SA Rugby.
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The airline succeeds SAA, whose sponsorship came to an end in December 2016, and will see the newcomer cater for SA Rugby’s domestic needs for the next three years.

As the official partner to the Springboks, the airline will be entrusted with providing the national team with travel experiences. The partnership was sealed at OR Tambo International Airport when a FlySafair Boeing 737-800 was unveiled bearing the Springbok logo incorporated into its livery.

Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby said: “We are absolutely delighted to partner with FlySafair and to welcome the airline to the rugby family. Safair has been in aviation for more than 50 years, and we see FlySafair as a bright, new and modern player in the South African airline space.

“Its mission is to unite people, with whom and what they love, while providing a great experience. Similarly, the Springboks aspire to unite South Africa through great rugby. We’re looking forward to sharing the journey with them – both literally and metaphorically.”
Elmar Conradie, CEO of FlySafair said: “FlySafair will be responsible for making sure that players and officials get to games on time, a task the airline is confident of achieving, given its ranking as the most punctual airline in South Africa, according to stats published by ACSA.

“It’s absolutely humbling to think that less than two and a half years ago we were a small airline with two aircraft operating between Johannesburg and Cape Town, and here we are today with a fleet of nine aircraft, servicing the largest domestic route network of all low-cost carriers, and receiving the honour of being entrusted with the air travel of one of our national treasures: the Springbok Rugby Team.”

Carl van der Walt, commercial head at Megapro said: “FlySafair moved quickly to secure this deal which is testament to their aspirations of becoming a leading commercial airline in South Africa. They have worked tirelessly over the past few weeks to get their aeroplanes painted in time for the big launch, so well done to Kirby and his team. It is great to have a new brand with an abundance of energy in the SA Rugby family.”
​By sportingindustry.co.za